Connect. Strategize. Lead. Highlight Your Work at VITAL2026.

June 10-12 | Minneapolis

Lead the Way in Health Care Transformation

VITAL2026, our annual conference, is the year’s largest gathering of essential hospital professionals. It offers an innovative curriculum through four learning session tracks tailored to safety net care, professional development, visionary keynote speakers, and ample opportunities to network with industry experts and key stakeholders at hospitals like yours.

About the Call for Abstracts

VITAL2026, at The Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown, will feature sessions selected from abstract submissions and presentations by invited speakers. Staff, member volunteers and the association’s innovation committee will develop a final conference program that aligns with the association’s strategic plan.

apply to present

Who attends?

The audience for VITAL2026 includes staff from essential hospitals and nonmember hospitals that:

Care for low-income and underserved people
Train future health care leaders
Provide comprehensive, coordinated care and lifesaving services
Advance public health

Participants will learn from experts and peers who face similar challenges, gain tools and practices to ensure success in all aspects of their organization and enjoy social and networking events. Attendees will leave the conference invigorated, inspired, and equipped with practical tools to use in their hospitals and communities.

Do you have a creative project that you’d like to share with your peers? If so, we welcome you to submit an abstract to present at VITAL2026.

Join a movement that inspires and equips leaders to build a brighter health care future.

apply to present

What People are Saying

I loved networking with colleagues from across the country who face the same challenges and the opportunities to exchange ideas.

It was exciting, timely, informative, provocative. It made me energized to get more things done!

I loved meeting other health systems with similar missions and dedication to care for the health and well-being of EVERY individual in the communities served with the highest level of care.

2026 Gage Awards

The Gage Awards recognize outstanding achievements by members of America’s Essential Hospitals in health outcomes, quality of care, and community well-being.

learn more and apply

Questions?

email us at events@essentialhospitals.org

Stay connected. Follow the association and join the conference social discussion with #VITAL2026.

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